NWS Volcanic Ash Training

Carl WeissU.S. AMDAR Representative

Background• As a result of the Eyjafjallajökull eruption and its disruption to the

aviation industry across Europe, the need for NWS operational meteorologists to better understand the environmental features and impacts of a volcanic eruption became apparent.

• Operational forecasters must:o understand volcanic ash sources and physical processes,o predict the trajectory of volcanic ash using forecast products,o be aware of the impacts of volcanic ash on aviation, public health,

climate, water quality and agriculture,o communicate effectively with the public.

• An NWS directive recently has been implemented that addresses appropriate forecaster response to eruptions.

Background (Continued)• Target audience for this training is current operational NWS and

private sector meteorologists.

• Secondary audiences for this course might vary widely, including:o federal agencies,o state and local government agencies,o non-governmental organizations,o universities,o international agencies.

• Although some online sources and existing modules refer to volcanic ash and its impacts, this course is the first comprehensive training to treat this subject.

Course Development• A development team was assembled representing NWS, COMET and the climate community.

• Team core members were:o Warren Rodie and Dr. Elizabeth Page - COMET Project Leadso Dr. Alan Bol - COMET Geologisto Tsvetomir Ross-Lazarov - COMET Instructional Designero Paul Witsaman - NWS Project Lead, Regional Aviation Meteorologist, NWS SRHo Ken Venske - Meteorologist in Charge, CWSU Oakland, CAo Leslie Wanek – Impact Decision Support Services Manager, NWS WRHo Rich Mamrosh - Aviation Focal Point, WFO Green Bay, WIo Jeff Osiensky - Regional Aviation Meteorologist, NWS ARHo Scott Birch - Regional Aviation Meteorologist, NWS WRHo Dr. Alan Robock - Professor (Climate Change), Rutgers University

Course Description

• Volcanic ash training focuses on providing forecasters:o an understanding of the source and characteristics of volcanic

eruptions,o techniques for volcanic ash detection,o techniques for forecasting plume movement,o an understanding of impacts to aviation, climate, society, and water

resources.

• Course is comprised of 4 modules:o Introductiono Volcanismo Impactso Observation Tools and Dispersion Models

Course Description (Continued)

• Module format:

o fully interactive, online module with text, animations, images and exercises,

o embedded links allow students to selectively view topics in the module,

o a print version is available so students can print sections related to their immediate needs,

o each module contains references and a bibliography.o questions embedded in the training will evaluate student’s immediate

retention of knowledge and will prepare them for the quiz at the end of each module.

Module 1: Introduction

• Introductiono Eyjafjallajökull Volcano (2010)o Mount Pinatubo (1991)o Mammoth Mountain, CA

animation: Example of an Explosive Eruption

• Course Description

• Course Objectives

Module 2: Volcanism

• Volcanoes: Understanding theSource

• Eruption Dynamics

• Volcanic Regions

• Eruption Types

• Classification of Volcanic Eruptions

• Eruption Frequency and Size

• Volcanic Hazards

Module 2: Volcanism (Continued)

Different volcanic eruptions can produce different hazards. These are some of the more important hazards:

• Tephra• Pyroclastic Flows• Lahars• Lava Flows• Volcanic Gases

Module 2: Volcanism (Continued)

Visual representation of magnitude of historical volcanic eruptions based on volume of released molten rock, ash and pumice.

Module 3: Impacts to Aviation, Climate, Maritime Operations and Society

• Aviation Impacts: Understanding the Impacts to the Aviation System

• Maritime Impacts

• Societal Impacts

• Climate Impacts

Module 3: Impacts to Aviation, Climate, Maritime Operations and Society (Continued)

• Seven-day (April 14-21, 2010) AMDAR animation illustrating impact of volcanic ash on air traffic over Europe.

• One of several animations/videos included in the training.

Module 4: Observation Tools andDispersion Models

• Satellite Monitoring

• Identify Presence of Asho using visible, infrared, split-window

and false-color imageryo principle component imagery,

reflectance and sulfur dioxide products also covered

• Monitor Plume Spreado determine plume height and drift

The HYSPLIT (Hybrid Single Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory) trajectory and dispersion model can be a valuable tool

• Issue Productso communicate with users

Accessing the Course

• Go to the COMET web page

http://www.comet.ucar.edu/

• Click on the MetEd link

Accessing the Course (Continued)

• If you have a COMET account, choose “Sign In”.

• If you don’t have a COMET account, choose “Sign Up” and follow the instructions for creating one.

Accessing the Course (Continued)

• Enter your account information and sign in

Accessing the Course (Continued)

• To start the most recent Tools module, click on the image.

• To start with any other module , choose the “See All” link.

Accessing the Course (Continued)

• Scroll down past the other COMET modules until you reach your training of choice. In this case, Volcanic Ash Introduction.

• Click on the image to begin the module.

Accessing the Course (Continued)

• To start training, click “Begin Module” link.

• Course Description, Objectives and Keywords tabs are found along the bottom of the page

What’s Next…

• Just started work on a new course, Space Weather’s Impacts on Aviation, tentatively scheduled for delivery by June 30, 2012.

• Future NWS aviation training will be steered by the aviation PDS effort.